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Join us at Macy’s on State Street for a signing of James R. Doyle’s book “St. Louis Gambling Kingpins” November 30th | 1pm CST
November 30 @ 1:00 pm
November 30th | 1pm CST
St. Louis Gambling Kingpins | James R. Doyle
We kindly request that if you would like your book signed, it must be purchased at Barbara’s Bookstore. To ensure a smooth and efficient signing process, please present your receipt as proof of purchase.
ABOUT THE BOOK
A history of betting on the East Side.
Making it as a professional gambler in the first part of the twentieth century was a long shot, but wagering on the wide open scene of East St. Louis could help even the odds. Folks who were feeling lucky enough might grab a copy of Louis Cella’s racing form, or get the inside scoop from turf men like Barney Schreiber. Students of the art of bookmaking had plentiful mentors in local legends like Adam “Mulepole” Fritz. But even then, a hot streak could attract the attention of a representative of the Chicago Outfit such as Frank “Buster” Wortman. The nephew of Vic and Jim Doyle, who built the Ringside Casino into the Midwest’s largest casino, author James Doyle connects the dice rolls of bygone St. Louis Kingpins to high stakes players in New York and New Orleans.
Arcadia Publishing released the Kingpins book at the end of February 2024.
It’s the story of the era when entrepreneurs found their way to gambling as the choice for independence and making their fortune. Today it’s AI, Hedge Funds, Private Equity, Real Estate or whatever attracts the entrepreneurs’ strengths and opportunities for the same independence and level of wealth and success.
A picture is painted of these entrepreneurs during the first half of the twentieth century. These “Gentleman Gamblers” excelled at gambling and rose to become Kingpins. The more notable were based on the Illinois side of St. Louis, Chicago, New York and New Orleans.
This book profiles the “Gentleman Gamblers” til around 1950 when mobsters drove them out of business, and Las Vegas began its ascent.
Gambling ownership today is also profiled, which is primarily corporate controlled nationally.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James R. Doyle’s experience has included serving as Editor/Publisher of his firm’s publications, and Project Director, as well as Author, for a number of contracted economic and development studies. His focus has been directed at operational and planning decisions within the banking and real estate industries. Presently he is working on public writings of economic and social studies.
He received his BA and MS in Economics and City and Regional Planning from Southern Illinois University Edwardsville.
He is a decorated Army veteran, having served in Vietnam.